Lenore Mae (Tramelli) Davis

Longtime Great Falls resident, Lenore (Tramelli) Davis, 88, passed away peacefully at Beehive Homes in Missoula, MT on Friday, October 13, 2023.

Lenore Mae Tramelli was born June 24, 1935, to Assunta (Grasseschi) Tramelli and Angelo Tramelli in Black Eagle, MT. Lenore's parents immigrated to Black Eagle, MT from Italy at a young age and she grew up in the same neighborhood near her many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Lenore's father was one of the first accordionists to live in the Great Falls area. He introduced and instilled the love of music to Lenore at a young age. Lenore became an excellent pianist and she and her father would play music together. These were some of her fondest memories and she was grateful that she had records of them playing together and the original sheet music with his handwritten notes. Through the years, family get-togethers were something to experience, due to the sheer volume of food. They were always full of fun, laughter, good food, and spirits.

Lenore attended Collins Elementary, Paris Gibson Junior High, and graduated from Great Falls High School in 1953. After graduating, Lenore entered the Nurses Training Program through Columbus Hospital, where she was working/training at Warm Springs State Hospital until graduating as a Registered Nurse. During this time, she met Wayne F. Davis, who was stationed at MAFB, on a blind date that she reluctantly agreed to go on. A year later, on Feb. 4, 1956, they were married in Blessed Sacrament Church in Black Eagle and enjoyed 67 years together until Wayne's recent passing in April of this year. Lenore and Wayne lived and raised their family in Riverview, living in the same home for 64 years. Lenore worked as an RN and Surgical Nurse at Biven's Eye Clinic; Great Falls Neurosurgeons for Drs. Johnson, Forbeck, Finny, and Serine for many years, and retired from the American Red Cross in 1997.

She was active and always on the go, rarely taking time to sit and relax. Even while working full-time as a Nurse, at a time when many mothers did not work outside of the home; she cooked and had dinner on the table every evening, ran the household, and still managed to be a Bluebird and Campfire Girl Leader, and a member of the PTA and CMR Booster Club. She enjoyed and attended all of her children's events and activities. She traveled many miles over the years to be at every school event, sporting event, recital, concert, performances, and competition.

Lenore was a member of St. Luke's Catholic Church and for many years she played the organ for Sunday mass for the church choir. She was a self-taught organist and played for many weddings throughout her years. She enjoyed summers traveling in the Winnebago, and camping and boating with her family and group of friends. Seeley Lake was a favorite spot where many great memories were made. Lenore also enjoyed the summers traveling to the many American Legion Baseball Tournaments with her husband, Wayne, and being able to see the different parts of the United States.

She loved to eat and enjoy good food. She was a fantastic cook. She had a mean sweet tooth and always had some sweet treat that she made, ready to serve at all times for any visitors that stopped by. She would relentlessly offer to feed you when you visited her home. She found comfort and peace in working around her home and yard. Lenore loved animals and there were many special family pets throughout the years. She created a beautiful sanctuary in her backyard, with flowers and feeders, and enjoyed sitting out there to watch the birds, squirrels, bunnies, and a rare visit from a turkey or deer. Her favorite place was her home, and making it nice with good food and with family.

In retirement, Lenore did not slow down. She was a member of the Great Falls Symphonic Choir, a volunteer for the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, played bridge weekly, and enjoyed attending local concerts at the Civic Center. She also looked forward to her monthly lunches to catch up with her fellow retirees with the "Red Cross Lunch Bunch." She was “old school lady,” in that she would never leave the house without being made up and looking presentable - even on a casual trip to the grocery store, and even in her challenging last year.

Lenore excelled as a grandmother. She was fun-spirited and a very active and loving participant in her grandchildren's lives. It was nothing to see her in the kitchen making cookies, playing in the yard, going mini golfing, shopping, or sitting on the floor playing a game with them one on one. She continued to attend as many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren's events as possible. Ballet recitals, sporting events, birthdays, graduations, and weddings - even when most of them were at a distance. She was so happy to be able to attend a recent soccer game and a baseball game of two of her great-grandchildren in her last few months. “Grandma Nore,” as nicknamed by her eldest granddaughter, will forever be missed.

She is survived by two children, son, Wayne K. (Michelle) Davis of Missoula and daughter, Perri (Jim) Menter of Tacoma, WA; five grandchildren, Katie (Jesse) Lyman of Las Vegas, NV, Mallory (Ben) Fuqua, Brenna Mae Davis of Missoula, Jacey Menter of Spokane, WA, and Cade Menter of Great Falls; three great-grandchildren, Ava and Leland Lyman of Las Vegas and Max Fuqua of Missoula; and many nieces, nephews.

Lenore was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Mary Angelique Davis who died at birth in 1964; four brothers and sisters-in law, Elio "Shab" Tramelli (Marguerite), Lawrence "Pete" or "Peep" Tramelli (Isabel), Michael "Cac" Tramelli (Ethel), and Rudy Tramelli (Ada Fay); and many special aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins, including her cousin, Fred Grasseschi and his wife and Lenore's best friend, Vasilia Grasseschi. Lenore's beloved dog, Sassy, crossed the rainbow bridge three days before Lenore's passing, and was there to greet her.

Cremation has taken place and graveside services for Lenore and Wayne will take place at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Great Falls at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Great Falls Animal Shelter or a music program of choice.